Andersson, Karolina

Abstract [en]

This essay explores the narrator in J.D Salinger’s The Catcher in theRye and examines why Holden Caufield is unreliable as a narrator by using Shlomiyh Rimmon-Kenan’s theories in Narrative Ficition. A narrator’s limited knowledge and understanding is the first of Rimmon-Kenan’s main sources för unreliability. The Catcher in the Rye’s first-person perspective is one problem within this category. Another problem within the first category is his age, emotional as well as chronological. The immaturity and naivety give Holden a limited perspective og the world, which creates problems of reliability.
Rimmon-Kenan’s second source is personal involvement. Holden obviously has a chance to presents himself and other characters in whatever light he wants. There are many contradictions in his narrative and his lack of self-confidence seems to create problems of reliability. He does not know what to think of himself or other people. Because of this, it is difficult for him to know what the truth is, which makes it challenging for him to communicate facts and not only his own personal reality.
The third source is what Rimmon-Kenan calls value-scheme, a person’s values and moral code. Holden’s childhood affects his way of viewing the world around him. He is brought up in a middle-upper class home, which often prevents him from having a good understanding of people from other classes. He struggles to fit into his social class as well among those of his own age group. As the same time, he wants to be a rebel. Holden admits to having lied in the past and, even though there are things that may suggest his honesty are still too many contradictions, exaggerations and ways to convince the reader and narratee of his newly found honesty for him to be reliable.